wuzapicker says:
3/10/2016 10:07:23 PM

The Paramount Tooper model was the same as the Paramount Jr. and Paramount Style X, except the Trooper was made of walnut while the Jr. and Style X were made of maple. The design was introduced in 1929 as a cost cutting development for the Paramount line. It was used for low price point models fitting the developing market realities of the Great Depression.

While the design saved production costs, the quality was equal to Lange's standard Paramount line and could have been made up in any of the catalog Paramount Styles. But that wasn't to be. Wm. L. Lange closed shop in 1935 victim to the economic severity and changing music fashions of the day.

Essentially the new design incorporated a heavy brass flange to mount the hooks and nuts, eliminating shoes and bolts through the rim. The flange is held in place with an aluminum band identical to the ones used on standard Paramount banjos, except it fit above the flange instead of below. It is a very solid design. Because Lange's patent required air to pass through the tone chamber around the outside of the rim into the resonator through the flange holes, the new tone chamber shell received a stamped decorative, floral lace-like ventilation pattern which was also used on many standard Paramount banjos produced after 1929.

Your 15855 example was likely produced quite late, probably 1934 or 1935. Paramount banjos made in those years can be quite interesting because they were often trimmed with devices commonly associated with other Paramount models. Evidently stocks from discontinued models were used up decorating whatever few banjos were still being produced.

Lange's Paramount banjo production commenced in August of 1921 and continued into 1935. (I have not been able to ascertain the date of closure.) But given 15,900 Paramount brand banjos produced in 13 years would indicate the line was quite successful and popular. Lange's highest production of his Paramount brand occurred between 1927 and 1930.

Lange introduced the Paramount Jr. and his double resonator Super Paramount designs in early 1929. There is no indication that Lange expected the fiscal tumult that began in October. Instead, he was redeveloping the Paramount line to compete in the 1930's. He prepared for the halcyon days to continue, but it was unsustainable.

Michael

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